Spring-hinge



No. 62l,l92. Patented Mar. l4, I899". R. P. WHIPPLE.

SPRING HINGE.

[Application filed Sept. 26, 1898.]

(No Model.)

co mmo-uwo" WASHINGTON n c recs.

ROLLIN P. IVHIPPLE, OF GREENFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

SPRING-HINGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 621,192, dated March14, 1899. Application filed September 26, 1898. Serial No. 691,851. (Nomodel.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROLLIN P. \VHIPPLE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Greenfield, in the county of Franklin and State ofMassachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements inSpring-Hinges, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to spring-hinges for window-blinds; and its objectis to provide an improved construction thereof whereby the blind may beheld in'a closed, opened, or intermediate position without liability ofbeing accidentally thrown out of its adjusted position.

It is also an object to provide a springhinge which shall possesssuperior advantages with respect to efficiency in use.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination ofparts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of awindow-frame and blind with my improvement applied thereto. Fig. 2 is ahorizontal sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is a plan view of thehinge detached, also showing a modified construction of the leaf whichis secured to the blind. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of thehinge. Fig. 5 is an elevation of the pin which forms the pivot of thehinge.

In the said drawings, the reference-numeral 1 designates a window-frameof any ordinary or suitable construction, to which is secured the leaf 2of the hinge. This leaf has formed integral with it two parallel lugs 3,the sides of which are beveled, while the ends are made straight andstrengthened by ribs 4. These lugs serve as cams, as hereinafterdescribed.

The numeral 5 designates a shank, the in- .ner end, which is connectedwith the window-.

frame, being formed with a tapering thread 6, the edge of which issharpened, so as to take or bite into the wood of said frame, and isformed with a gimlet-point. The inner end of said shank is formed with aflattened head 7, having shoulders 8, against which abuts a loose collar9, of hard metal, the shank itself being made of soft metal, preferablymalleable iron. The shank in vrear of said head is made cylindrical, andintermediate thereof and the tapering screw-threaded portion is formedwith what is known as a metal threadthat is, a thread the edge of whichis square or blunt. The numeral 10 designates a bracket which is securedto the window-frame, and in front of this bracket is a nut 12, whichfits upon and is adjustable on the said intermediate threaded portion ofthe shank.

The numeral 13 designates the pin or pintle which connects the leaf 2with the head of the shank. This pin is provided wit-h a head 14 and theopposite end is made tapering, for a purpose hereinafter described.Between said tapering portion and the head the pin is formed with aperipheral groove 15, with which the edge of the opening in the head 7engages. The numeral16 designates a coiled spring embracing said shankand confined be tween the collar 9 and the nut 12 and the tension ofwhich causes the blind to be held in its adjusted position.

In practice the bracket 10 is secured to the window-frame and thepointed end of the shank is passed through the hole therein and screwedinto the frame. The leaf 2 is then secured to the blind or shutter'andthe lugs 3 engagedwith the head 7 of the shank and the pin 'or pintlepassed through the holes in said lugs and head, and the edge of the holein said head engaging with the groove in the pin will prevent accidentaldisplacement of the latter, yet at the same time allow it to be forcedout by a blow from a hammer or other instrument, as the head is held inplace in said groove by the tension of the coiled spring 16. Todisconnect the leaf from the head, the said pin is forced outward by ablow from a suitable instrument, so that the tapering end thereof willcome into line with the opening inthe head 7, and being of smallerdiameter than said opening or hole will be relieved from the tension ofthe spring, enabling it to be readily withdrawn by the fingers.

As will be seen in Fig. 1, the blind or shutter may be held in either aclosed or open position or in a position at a right angle to thebuilding without the aid of catches of any kind and without liability ofblowing to when, opened.

By means of the nut 12 the tension of the spring 16 may be regulatedwithout removing the shank from the window-frame by simply ICO turningthe nut to the right or left, as the case may be.

As before stated, the collar 9 is made of hard metal, while theshoulders S of the head 7 are of softer metal, thereby reducing thefriction and preventing wear.

In Fig. 1 I have shown the lugs 3 as being formed with an arm integralwith the leaf 2, which is the construction used when the blind orshutter fits into the window-frame when closed, while in Fig. 2 the lugsare formed directly with the leaf. This latter form is employed when theblind abuts against the window-frame when closed.

It will be noticed that the cylindrical portion of the shank, thecollars thereon, and the coiled spring on the shank are all outside ofthe window-frame, so that in case the spring should become wet from rainor snow it will readily dry, and thus prevent rusting of the same.

The advantages gained by forming the shank with a tapered end havingwood screwthreads and the cylindrical portion formed with square threadsare as follows: In applying the hinge to a window-frame the bracket issecured thereto and the shank inserted in the hole therein and turned,the pointed end acting as a gimlet and entering the windowframe withoutthe necessity of boring a hole therein. The square or metal threads willthen engage with the bracket, and the shank will be securely held andlocked in place without any liability of working loose. Theadjusting-nut also engages with the square threads, and by turning thesame the tension of,the coiled spring can be regulated.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim is 1. In aspring-hinge, the combination with the leaf formed with integral lugs,the sides of which are beveled, of the bracket adapted to be secured tothe window-frame, formed with a screw threaded hole, the shank having aflattened head at one end and the other end tapered and formed with woodscrew-threads and the cylindrical portion of said shank formed withsquare wood threads joining said wood screw-threads, the ad justin g-nutengagingsaid square threads, the coiled spring and the pintle,substantially as described.

2. In a spring-hinge, the combination with the leaf formed with integrallugs, the sides of which are beveled of the shank having a flattenedhead and formed with a tapering end formed with wood screw-threads andwith square threads joining the same, the movable collar, theadjusting-nut, the bracket having a screw-threaded hole therein, thecoiled spring, and the tapering pintle having a head at one end and acurved or rounded peripheral groove intermediate the said tapered endand head, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

I ROLLIN I. XVIIIPPLE.

\Vitnessesz' E. P. BURKET, BENNETT L. J ONES.

